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State Probation Officer information

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How much do state probation officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for state probation officer in the United States is $62,965.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $74,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a State Probation Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a State Probation Officer, you need a solid understanding of criminal justice, case management, and investigative procedures, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field. Familiarity with offender management systems, electronic monitoring tools, and required state certifications is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and effective communication help officers build rapport with clients and collaborate with law enforcement and community organizations. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring public safety, successful offender rehabilitation, and compliance with legal standards.

What is the difference between State Probation Officer vs Probation Technician?

AspectState Probation OfficerProbation Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, sometimes a master's; relevant certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentSupervises offenders, conducts assessments, makes recommendationsAssists probation officers, maintains case files, supports supervision
Employer & Industry UsageState and local criminal justice agenciesProbation departments within criminal justice systems

While both roles are part of the probation system, State Probation Officers have more responsibilities, including offender supervision and decision-making, requiring higher education and certifications. Probation Technicians support officers with administrative tasks and have less formal education requirements. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations within the probation field.

What are some common challenges faced by State Probation Officers, and how are they typically addressed?

State Probation Officers often encounter challenges such as managing heavy caseloads, working with individuals who may be resistant to change, and ensuring compliance with court-mandated conditions. These challenges are typically addressed through effective time management, continuous training in conflict resolution and communication, and leveraging support from colleagues and supervisors. Most agencies also provide access to counseling services and regular team meetings to discuss difficult cases, promoting a collaborative and supportive work environment.

What are State Probation Officers?

State Probation Officers are professionals responsible for supervising offenders who have been placed on probation instead of serving time in prison. They monitor compliance with court-ordered conditions, help rehabilitate offenders, and ensure public safety by providing guidance, resources, and regular check-ins. State Probation Officers also prepare reports for the court, conduct investigations, and may testify in court hearings. Their work involves collaboration with law enforcement, social service agencies, and community organizations to support offenders' successful reintegration into society.
More about State Probation Officer jobs
What cities are hiring for State Probation Officer jobs? Cities with the most State Probation Officer job openings:
What states have the most State Probation Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for State Probation Officer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching State Probation Officer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for State Probation Officer jobs are:
State Probation Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various State Probation Officer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,965 per year, or $30.3 per hour.
Deputy Probation Officer

Deputy Probation Officer

Sacramento County Probation Department

Sacramento, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Sacramento County rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

187th of 644 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

This is a limited continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:
6/14/2024, 8/2/2024, 10/4/2024, 12/6/2024 (final)
Under general supervision the Deputy Probation Officer performs professional work in the investigation of adult offenders or juvenile court referrals; supervises probationers; participates in the institutional care, custody, treatment, and counseling.
Examples of Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of
  • Principles and practices of probation work
  • Principles of social and correctional case and group work
  • Laws relating to criminal justice
  • Causes of crime and delinquency
  • Counseling techniques
  • Interviewing
  • Community resources available to probationers
  • Principles of investigation and laws governing search and seizure and preservation of evidence
  • Codes, standards and regulations governing care and treatment of juveniles in juvenile halls, camps, ranches or schools
  • Crisis intervention
  • Self-defense
  • Arrest procedures
  • Appropriate use of force and security techniques
  • Rights and liabilities of peace officers

Ability to
  • Analyze behavior patterns
  • Exercise sound judgment in assessment and treatment of probationers
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
  • Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance
  • Cope with hostility and aggressive behavior
  • Prepare concise and clear reports
  • Maintain records
  • Communicate with individuals from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds

Requirements
Employment Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably with a degree in social or behavioral sciences.
AND
Either: One year of full-time paid professional experience in correctional work subsequent to the degree in a County, State or Federal probation, parole or law enforcement agency.
Or: One year of social casework experience subsequent to the degree in a County State, or Federal agency.
Or: One year as an Assistant Probation Officer (formerly Probation Assistant) with Sacramento County.
Or: The equivalent of one (1) year as a Probation Aide (On-Call) with Sacramento County.
Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. To compute full-time equivalency of On-Call experience: 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.
Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the final filing date listed in this notice.
Special Requirements
Compliance with Government Code: In accordance with California Government Code, Section 1031, each employee shall meet the following minimum standards:
a. Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship. Any permanent resident alien shall be disqualified from holding a position if his or her application for citizenship is denied.
b. Be at least 18 years of age.
c. Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record. In addition, a classifiable set of the fingerprints shall be furnished to the Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
d. Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
Criminal History and Background Check: Appointees must pass a criminal history and background check, and pursuant to California Government Code, Section 1029, the conviction of a felony is grounds for disqualification from an appointment. Pursuant to Sacramento County Civil Service Rules, candidates found to have been convicted of a felony will be disqualified.
Certificate Requirement: Completion of required P.O.S.T. training for Probation Officers as specified in Section 832 of the Penal Code within one (1) year after appointment as a Deputy Probation Officer.
Arming: Some assignments within the Probation Department require the willingness and capability to be armed. Authorization to carry a weapon while on duty requires a psychological examination confirming fitness to be armed as well as the successful completion of force and weaponry training as required by the department.
Physical Requirements: Incumbents will frequently perform a wide variety of physical tasks such as standing, walking, running, stooping, bending, climbing stairs and lifting probationers which requires strength, coordination, endurance, and agility. In addition, there may be occasional contact with hostile individuals, and incumbents may be subject to physical and verbal abuse while restraining/arresting individuals.
Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, is required at the time of appointment.
Note: Failure to maintain the appropriate valid California Driver License may constitute cause for dismissal from the class under applicable Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.
Hours of Work: Incumbents in this class must be willing to work irregular hours, holidays, and weekends.
Probationary Period
The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.
Application and Testing Information
APPLICATIONQualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Click here to apply.
County of Sacramento
Department of Personnel Services
Employment Services Division
700 H Street, Room 4667
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 874-5593; 7-1-1 California Relay Service
Email EmployOffice@Saccounty.net
Inter-Office Mail Code: 09-4667www.SacCountyJobs.net
  • Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
  • Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
  • Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date.
  • Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
  • A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIREApplicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked "Supplemental Questions". Please be descriptive in your response.
Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application", or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
  • Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
  • The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate's experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification.
  • Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
  • If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
  • Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
  • If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
  • For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
  • If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidate's application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidate's responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete.

ONLINE WRITTEN EXAM (Weighted 100%)
The testing process will consist of an online written examination, weighted 100%. The test dimensions may include:
  • Probation and Parole
  • Juvenile Corrections
  • Standards and Regulations
  • Counseling and Interpersonal Skills
  • English Usage and Writing Skills

Qualified applicants will be notified by email, using the email address provided on the application, of the exact dates and times the online written examination will be available, along with the necessary information to access the online written examination, which is tentatively scheduled for 3-4 weeks after the cut-off date. If applicants have not received written notice by email at least two (2) working days prior to the tentative test date, they should contact the County of Sacramento Employment Services Division at (916) 874-5593. For more information on testing dates and/or accommodation requests please contact the Employment Services Division by the final filing date.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSClick here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)For information regarding County jobs:
  • www.saccountyjobs.net

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.
We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at dco@saccounty.gov or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711

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